Star starfire 45acp jams

[Oneeyejd]

Folks,
I am good gunsmith, but this has me stimmed: When gun is worked manually, it functions perfectly. However when FIRED, the slide jams rearward. (rear of slide is 2.0" behind the disassembly mark on left side.) The slide can not be pushed forward by hand. Tapping with mallet can move slide (small pressure) to approximately 1" out of battery; then it is free again and can be moved freely thru out it entire range again. It will do this with mag. in or out.
When it fires; it ejects cases, but not reload next shell (because slide is jammed back). Same results with mags in or out when firing.
No burrs on slide or frame; no burrs on slide hole for rod guide; no burrs on hammer. Ejector not binding; barrel is free and clear when slide jammed.:
Any suggestions or seen this before. >??? Or suggestions on where more info might be hiding ??
THANKS

FYI: It is spotless, electroless nickel plated and properly lubed.

 

[lightning]

Could it be a weak recoil spring?
I have an M45 Firestar and have never had this issue.

 

[Oneeyejd]

Thanks, will check spring: But it cycles a full magazine with closing when worked by hand and released.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'd mic the thickness of the rails, then the corresponding cuts in the slide. I'd also check the frame rails to ensure that they are not milled at an angle that would cause binding. Ditto with the slide.

I'd also check it with the spring. Will the slide move forward freely on the frame when the spring isn't installed?

Check along its length the outside diameter of the barrel. Did the machine mess up and make it too thick somewhere that would cause a bind?

Check for burrs on slide/frame and the fit of the underlug and the frame (does the barrel go up and down without issue?).

When it does fire, I suspect that the slide is not fully retracting.

Here's the manual for the firestar: http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/manuals/downloads/firestar_plus_manual.pdf

 

[Jim K]

Also check the internal diameter of the barrel hole (where the bushing would be on a 1911) vs the diameter of the barrel at the rear. Also, try removing the barrel and recoil spring and with the slide and frame only, pull back the slide and whack it on the front with a wood or leather mallet. If things are OK, install the barrel and do the same thing. That should help locate which parts are binding.

When you operate the slide manually, you just don't put as much force on the slide as it has when driven back by the recoil. That is why the use of the mallet will likely show up a problem that won't happen in manual operation.

Jim

 

[Oneeyejd]

Thanks ! Have tried all of the suggestions with no success. Now dychecking all components throughout the operation and looking for signs of interference ,etc. No luck yet. Still jams at rear position. Barrel free, hammer free, ejector not touched, w/mags in or out the same.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I would look at the slide stop and the barrel link (or whatever that unlocking/locking cutout beneath the barrel is called). Take a square to the slide stop hole to check that it isn't offset. If the relation between the barrel link and slide stop pin is off, that could bind too.

BTW, you didn't install an add on recoil buffer did you?

 

[Oneeyejd]

Thanks for comments.:: Nothing different from "Factory". no add ons.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Are the holes in the frame for the slide stop equal distance (not canted)?

Install the barrel and slide stop (no slide). Check out the barrel as it moves up/down (lock/unlock).

 

[bobinoregon]

Have you tried a different magazine ? Mine came with two. one works, the other doesn't

 

[Jim K]

Have you checked the hammer. IIRC, that is basically a 1911 design and it has been known that a slide will be damaged in such a way as to have a deep gouge in the underside of the firing pin spring tunnel that the hammer drops into. I have never seen a case where the slide was stopped by that, but it could happen.

Also, check the disconnector to be sure it is not blocking the slide from coming forward. Normally, that can't happen, but in this case one guess is as good as another.

Jim

 

[Oneeyejd]

To "All",
Thanks for all inputs so far. Tried/inspected all suggestions with no luck YET. I will solve this (sooner or later).! And will post to hopefully help anyone else if problem encountered. There are lots of Firestars out there and generally a decent gun.
Still open to any more suggestions.
Thx JD

 

[243winxb]

A kink in the recoil spring may do it. They do seem to have a memory, once kinked. A new spring or install a recoil spring guide rod , may fix it. Thats my guess. Starfire or Firestar model?

 

[IL Guns]

I would second the recoil spring binding. I had a 2 piece Wilson Combat guide rod that was very particular about recoil springs. Actually the weight of the spring didn't matter but the length did. It would cycle fine by hand but the slide would get stuck when fired. After changing springs in various weights I finally cut one of the heavier ones which I told was a big no-no. To my surprise it worked. Either that or the frame may need to be tamped. It could be just a tad too wide and when you fire it, it's a completely different beast. Heat expands it and bam, slide stuck back. My money is on a spring binding though. What would JMB do?